Town seeks feedback on plans to remove tree

While the Board of Selectmen is asking for residents’ feedback on a proposal to remove and replace the large Douglas fir from the common, at least one group is saying hands off.

Earlier this month, Town Administrator Leon Gaumond Jr. reported what he described as a “generous offer” from the Municipal Light Plant to remove the tree, and to replace it with a younger tree. At least some of the concerns revolve around safety and difficulty in decorating the tree each December.

But, Selectmen Chairman Kevin McCormick said the board should take no vote without feedback from the community. He told his fellow board members that the issues being raised this year are not new, and that the town previously abandoned plans to remove the tree due to protests stemming from the birth of George Washington. Or, rather, the nationwide celebration of his birth that saw the tree planted in the 1932.

Although McCormick spoke in favor of removing the tree, which he noted loses branches each winter, his intuition proved correct. The Historical Commission last week voted in opposition to removing the tree.

“The tree has got to go, there is no doubt about that,” McCormick said when first hearing about the offer from Gaumond. “We’ve have several tree wardens say that.”

But the tree has historical value to the community, according to Historical Commission member Beverly Goodale.

In 1924, in preparation of the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington, a national celebration committee was formed to put in place a series of celebrations in every state, and as many communities as possible, to take place between Washington’s Birthday in February and Thanksgiving Day in 1932.

In West Boylston, that responsibility was taken up by the Woman’s Club, which joined Woman’s Clubs nationwide to plant trees in dedication of the event. Each tree was accompanied by identical plaques, which in West Boylston was embedded in a rock on the church and library side of the tree.

“It was a big deal,” Goodale said. “It has historical value to the town.”

The West Boylston Woman’s Club formed in 1926. In its best years, it had about 150 members, ran various events and offered scholarships to West Boylston students. After years of declining membership, the group voted to disband in 2010.

The group planted the tree on April 16, 1932. The tree was donated by Mrs. Henry Townsend, according to Goodale, who said the group kept scrapbooks of all of its activities.

“It was one of around 10 million living memorials planted across the nation,” Goodale said. “It’s more than just a tree. It has significance. We’re saying it would be sad to just take it down.”

In terms of decorating, Goodale said the commission believes the solution is simple.

“Don’t decorate it. Forget about it,” she said. “Don’t do it. But to chop down a tree just because you don’t like the way it looks or because it’s hard to decorate it just isn’t right.”

In fact, she noted, the tree that is lit on the gazebo side of the common was donated as a replacement Christmas tree.

“But, if you feel strongly that you need the tree to be on that side of the common, there is still plenty of room. Put up a new tree, and leave that one alone,” Goodale said. “But that tree should not be cut down. Just don’t decorate it.”

Gaumond said he is still accepting residents’ feedback regarding the tree. Since he put the word out, he said he has received roughly two dozen comments that vary in response, including one questioning why money would be spent on a new tree. He can be reached by email at lgaumond@westboylston-ma.gov.

The board also agreed to a one-year extension of its current lease at 127 Hartwell St. for the rooms used for town offices and the Senior Center.

The one-year agreement reflects the fact the board is currently trying to bring a proposal to town meeting sometime this year to purchase two buildings to be used as a town hall and a senior/community center.

The terms of the lease are $10,391 per month for 9,200 square feet. It reflects a 1 percent increase to the monthly rate that expires in April. Under the lease agreement, utilities and parking lot maintenance, such as plowing, are covered by the building’s owner.